Oil heir Timothy Mellon has been identified as the benefactor who donated $130 million to the U.S. military, ensuring service members continued to receive pay during the recent government shutdown. President Donald Trump announced the significant contribution on Thursday, praising the act of generosity from a "great American citizen."
The shutdown, which resulted from a political impasse in Congress, had threatened the financial stability of military personnel across the country. Addressing reporters, President Trump expressed his admiration for the donor's love for the military and the nation. He noted the donor's desire for anonymity, which is an uncommon request in the political arena.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the receipt of Mellon's donation by the Department of War. The funds were critical in avoiding a potential pay disruption for thousands of service members during the budgetary stalemate.
The donor's identity had been the subject of speculation in Washington until the New York Times, citing two sources familiar with the transaction, reported that the mysterious benefactor was Timothy Mellon. At 83 years old, Mellon is a descendant of one of America's wealthiest families, with Forbes listing their fortune earlier this year at over $14 billion.
Mellon's own net worth is estimated at around $1 billion, a figure he has contested. Historically shying away from the public eye, in recent years, Mellon has emerged as a significant donor, supporting President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The legality of the donation has been questioned, as the Defense Department typically requires an ethics review for contributions exceeding $10,000. Additionally, Congress retains the power to allocate federal budgets, including military pay.
Despite potential legal and procedural obstacles, officials have indicated that the donation was instrumental in preventing economic hardship for military families amid the shutdown. The private nature of Mellon's philanthropic gesture has been celebrated as an act of patriotism during a time of political deadlock.
President Trump commended Mellon for stepping in when negotiations with congressional Democrats stalled. White House aides pointed to the donation as a testament to the American spirit, noting that no other private citizen in modern history has contributed so much directly to the military. Mellon's unprecedented gift has garnered wide acclaim on social media and earned him the title of "America's most patriotic billionaire."
The billionaire's decision to contribute anonymously has been seen as a sincere show of support for the troops, untethered from the desire for public recognition. As of now, Timothy Mellon has not made any public statements since his identity as the donor was revealed.
